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The most common alternative is burning the stump first, then dealing with the cinders and ashes. As you can imagine, this option creates fire hazards, especially since roots can burn underground, hidden, for long afterward. That’s why many states and cities have outlawed the use of stump burning entirely. We do not recommend this option as a viable alternative unless you get a permit from the local fire department and practice all safe burning procedures.

Others prefer a more long-term DIY approach of degrading the stump with home mixtures like Epsom salt and vinegar injected directly into it. This may help the stump decay faster, allowing homeowners to dig it out themselves, but it’s still a lengthy process. It usually takes months for a stump to start falling apart with such treatments, and in the meantime, it can be vulnerable to rot, insects, and other problems.

No, it’s not necessary to remove all the leaves from your lawn—in fact, leaving some behind can be beneficial. While it's important to clear thick layers of leaves that can smother your grass, leaving a light scattering of leaves can help feed your soil while also providing safe winter habitat for pollinators like bumble bees. Leftover leaves will eventually break down, enriching the soil and promoting healthy lawn growth.

If you want to take the decomposition process into your hands to speed it up, water and sunlight are key. Of course, you can’t control sunlight yourself, but you can rake leaves into piles in sunny spots in your yard. In terms of using water, you can also moisten the decomposing leaves with water, whether by pouring some from a watering can from time to time or using a hose to moisten them.

If your dog always does their business in the yard, daily poop pick-up makes sense. The nitrogen in the poop can start making its way into the grass and surrounding soil quickly, a rain shower can send the waste into waterways, and less poop lying around means less chance of stepping on it accidentally.